The long-awaited new issue of Exclaim! mag hit stores last week, finally - they skip an issue after Christmas every year, a habit I think needs breaking. Anyway, meteorically-rising Brampton-area metal band The End are the cover boys this time around, and kids, let me tell you this, I heard their new album Within Dividia this morning, and it is mindblowing. I don't care who they're compared to, Dillinger Escape Plan, Andy friggin' Griffith, I don't care. These laddies are gonna blow this year. A must-hear.
Other stream-of-consciousness notes from the new Exclaim!...the blond dude from Trapt looks a lot like whatshisface guitarist from AFI...the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, was arrested on a domestic violence rap a few days ago, and man, he looked like hades on the news...nice little ad sponsored by HMV featuring our boys Thousand Foot Krutch, another band who's gonna get theirs in '04(as well, the band are playing the Mike Bullard Show February 20th; if you're in the Toronto area, hit Yonge Street and stoke the madness in the studio audience)...and word of a huge tour hitting Ottawa: Frostbite '04 featuring Mad Caddies, Choke, Pulley, Irish Car Bomb and Closet Monster is hitting Capital Music Hall downtown March 18th. This WILL sell out; be warned.
Whew.
In other news, I saw the video for Eighteen Visions' 'You Broke Like Glass' the other night on TFO, this French station. Weird. Good video.
This Just In: Ben Harper is just amazing. You need to get all his stuff, like right now. In particular, find a track called 'Forgiven'. What a slide-guitar demon this guy is. Otherworldly.
Also coming to Ottawa, and soon(February 16th) is none other than Andrew W.K., also at Capital Music Hall. This place is really raking in the big names, no?
February 19th, in even more show news, The Fully Down and Keep Yourself Good Company, two of the best bands in this city hands-down, are playing together at Barrymore's. I, for one, will be extending myself to the max to be there.
I saw this kid Howie Day and his band of merry gentlemen on the tube the other night; is it just me, or does this guy look a lot like Wilco's Jeff Tweedy must've looked at the age of twentysomething?
We have an upcoming feature at sweetdisaster on the ever-impressive Stretch Arm Strong. I know this because I wrote it. Watch out.
Finally got some Underoath news: the new album comes out June 15th, entitled They're Only Chasing Safety. This will be the first output not featuring longtime vocalist Dallas; be interesting to see what happens. Check out the band's website to hear one of the new tracks. [buzzgrinder]
Posted by mike at January 31, 2004 01:13 PM